Agenda item - Report of the Alcohol Programme Board (June 2013)

Report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection (copy attached)

6.1       The Committee considered a report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection detailing the work of the Alcohol Programme Board for the benefit of Members in the context of licensing policy and application decisions.

6.2       The Head of Regulatory Services, Environmental Health and Licensing, Mr Nichols explained that the Alcohol Programme Board which involved very senior input from across the city (Health, City Council and Police) had been set up following the Intelligent Alcohol Commissioning Pilot in 2010. The aim of the Board was to lead a programme of work in tackling the adverse consequences of alcohol consumption in Brighton and Hove. The four areas of work set out within the Board’s action were, the drinking culture, the availability of alcohol, the night time economy and early identification, treatment and aftercare. Although “health” was not a licensing objective, it was an emerging theme and could inform licensing policy, for example in relation to the policies in operation in the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) and the Special Stress Area (SSA). Initiatives in respect of SDG2 (availability of alcohol) was lead by the licensing team and the key objective of this domain was to “reduce the consumption of alcohol across the city focusing in particular on young people and heavy drinkers.”

6.3       The Head of Regulatory Services stated in apparent response to the CIZ there had been an increase in  the number of applications for Temporary Event Notices (TEN’s), for community and other events as well as in place of publicans exemptions, all of which involved the consumption of alcohol. One of the key factors was to encourage more alcohol free events, to encourage responsible drinking and to continue to foster adoption of best practice by retailers.

6.4       Councillor Rufus referred to the Health Scrutiny Panel which had been set up and was examining issues around alcohol across the city. One facet of the problem arose from Brighton’s image as a fun “party” city, although problems around alcohol misuse/abuse in the city were more complex and deep rooted than that. By examining the issue in depth it would be interesting to see what lessons could be learned. It was recognised that there was no quick fix, but it was important to continue the debate and to move towards longer term solutions.

6.5       Councillor Marsh explained that Councillors Deane, Rufus and Simson were also members Panel and that a scoping exercise was currently underway to ensure that the work being undertaken built upon but did not duplicate work that had already been undertaken. Initiatives which had been undertaken in cities elsewhere in the country e.g., Liverpool were being looked at to see whether there were elements of them that could be adopted in Brighton.

6.6       Councillor Jones commended the approach being taken although it would it would take time and a variety of approaches to effect improvements. The role of education particularly amongst young drinkers was key. As a health professional he had experience of dealing with those who were oblivious to the detrimental impact of the amount of alcohol they were consuming on a regular basis. Hopefully in time consumption of excess alcohol could be seen as being as “uncool” as smoking. It was important not to be deterred from making initiatives because of the size of the task.

6.7       Councillor C Theobald concurred with the points that had been made, welcoming any initiatives to encourage alcohol free events. She referred to “White Nights” which had been held successfully on two occasions, however on the third, when it had coincided with Halloween, some individuals had consumed large quantities of alcohol which had compromised the comfort and safety of others as well as themselves.

6.8       Councillor Robins agreed with much that had been said but considered that comparisons with smoking were not necessarily appropriate as responsible alcohol consumption was not damaging to health whilst all smoking could be damaging to health.

6.9       Councillor Lepper stated that it was not just drinking by the young that presented a problem, those who went out “clubbing” on regular basis had sufficient disposable income to pay high prices for their alcohol. However, easy availability, cost and leisure time meant that excess alcohol consumption was also an issue amongst some of those of more mature years too, some of whom drank steadily through the day in the privacy of their own homes.

6.10    Councillor Hyde concurred with all that had been said, stating that clearly a variety of approaches was needed along with a programme of education/re-education.

6.11    Councillor Deane stated that one of the problems arose in consequence of alcohol with celebration and happiness. The antithesis of that was that too much alcohol gave rise to a great deal of unhappiness on many levels.

6.8       RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.